Snapchat used in scheme to sell vape cartridges
What began as a complaint of drugs being sold to high school age youngsters resulted in the arrests of four individuals last week on multiple drug charges.
Fannin County Sheriff’s Office investigators served a search warrant at a house in downtown Mineral Bluff Tuesday morning, June 30, where they arrested Daniel Alexander Walters, 23; Casey McClain Hall, 21; Dalton Robert Gibson, 23; and Anthony Clark Yebba, 37, according to sheriff’s office reports.
Investigations Captain Justin Turner said all the individuals were living in the house at 8701 Highway 60, which is between the old Mineral Bluff Elementary School and the U.S. Post Office.
Walters is charged with six felonies and one misdemeanor. The felonies include, possession of a controlled substance (THC) with intent to distribute; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; use of communication facility in committing or facilitating a drug transaction; possession of methamphetamine; manufacturing, distributing, dispensing or possessing marijuana near a park; and possession of schedule I (THC). He was also charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of drug related objects.
Hall faces four felonies and one misdemeanor. The felonies are, marijuana, possession with intent to distribute; possession of a controlled substance (THC) with intent to distribute; manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or possessing marijuana near park; and possession of methamphetamine. The misdemeanor charge is for possession of drug related objects.
Fannin County Chief Magistrate Judge Brian Jones said he denied bond for both Walters and Hall during their first appearance hearings Thursday morning, July 2. He said that decision was based on both being significant risks to commit another felony as well as being flight risks.
Gibson faces a felony count of possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor charges of possession of drug related objects and possession of marijuana, less than an ounce. Jones set a cash bond of $6,500 for Gibson.
Yebba faces misdemeanor charges of possession of marijuana, less than an ounce, and possession of drug related objects. His bond was set at $2,500.
The investigation centered around vape cartridges containing THC as well as what Turner described as “high grade” marijuana.
According to warrants filed against the suspects, Walters had 23 new, unopened vape cartridges each containing 91% THC. Turner said these came in a variety of flavors including grape, raspberry and pineapple. However, the vape cartridges are illegal and clearly marked “THC 91%.” He also had two large plastic bags containing approximately 1/4 pound of suspected marijuana each. The vape cartridges and marijuana were found in Walters’ vehicle. The methamphetamine and drug related objects were found inside the residence.
Warrants charging Hall alleged that inside her pocketbook, inside a vehicle were two large, one gallon size plastic bags with approximately 1/4 pound of suspected marijuana in each. She also had 23 of the illegal, individually packaged vape cartridges.
Warrants charge Walters and Hall with distributing marijuana near a park because the old Mineral Bluff Elementary School property has been set apart by Fannin County as a playground for recreation purposes. Just before arresting Walters, investigators saw children playing on the playground.
Warrants accuse Walters of using his cell phone to advertise the vape cartridges and marijuana for sale through the application Snapchat.